Roll-adjusting apparatus



APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, H218..

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APPLICATION FILED I1IAY919IB.

n w w l G. F. CRIPPEN.

ROLL ADJ'USI'I NG APPARATUSI APPLICATION FILED MAY 9| I9I8.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- wi IMAC ab l UNM-ED STATES PAnrENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. CBIPPEN, 0F' YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE CRIPPEN MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, or MOUNT rLnAsANT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION or MICHIGAN.

ROLL-ADJ USTIN G APPARATUS.

Application filed May 9, 1918.

` adapted for use in connection with machines wherein is employed a series of pairs of rolls radially arranged, the rolls of each pair being adapted to rotate relative to one another,

and it is the primary object of the invention to provide novel and improved means Whereby the rolls of each pair or set may be adjusted laterally relative to one another, to accurately regulate or change at will the space between the rolls.

Heretofore, it has largely been the custom, when desired to relatively adjust the rolls of a plurality of sets or pairs, to independently adjust one or both of the rolls of each pair. This is objectionable because of the expense incident to the provision of independent adjusting means for each pair of rolls, and also because of the loss of time and labor in making the necessary adjustment. Then again, there is the further very decided and serious objection that the various pairs of rolls will oftentimes not be accurately or harmoniously adjusted with the result that'the rolls of one pair will berelatively spaced a certain distance, whereasA the rolls of succeeding pairs will be relatively spaced different distances, thereby involving a non-uniform action by the respective pairs of rolls on the material voperated upon thereby.

One of the underlying purposes of the present invention may be said to reside in` Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sepia-7, 1920.

Serial No. 233,519.

Further, the invention involves means operatively associated with the adjusting mechanism just described whereby, after adjustment, the rolls will be maintained or locked in a fixed relative position, and means whereby said locking means may be readily released, to permit of further adjustment at will.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention herein illustrated, an annular or concentric series of radially disposed rolls are employed, the rolls being arranged at a slight inclination from the horizontal, and the rolls being arranged in pairs, with the rolls of each pair adapted to rotate and cooperate one with the other to draw material therebetweeen, and to permit such material as is not drawn therebetween to discharge from the lower ends of the rolls. For one of the rolls of each pair, there is provided an eccentric bushing, which, upon being turned in its bearing, is adapted to move its connected roll away from the cooperating roll, and it is contemplated by the present invention to provide means whereby the eccentric bushings of the respective adjustable rolls may have simultaneous rotatable movement imparted thereto to relatively adjust the rolls.

Still further, it is an object of the invention to provide a roll adjusting device, simple in design and construction, comparatively ineXpensive to produce, highly eiiicient in operation, and strong and durable in service.

Still other and further improvements and novel details in the construction and arrangement of the various parts of the invention will be appreciated from the description to follow, which, for a clear and comprehensive understanding of the invention is to be considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein is disclosed for the purpose of illustration, a convenient and satisfactory embodiment of the invention. In this connection, however, it is to be borne in mind that many minor changes and slight modifications in the structural details and arrangement of parts may be made, and still be within the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical section, of an apparatus, broken away, with my roll adjusting mechanism 'or' apparatus applied thereto;`

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, with parts removed' Fig; 3 is a vertical section, with parts broken away.

Fig. 4 is a detail view enlarged of the roll adjusting shaft and associated parts;

Fig. '5 is a' detail view enlarged of one of the adjustable rolls.

lVith more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refefijtojcorresponding parts throughout the severalviews", 1' is' a 'suitable casting, convenientlyfsl'eeved vupony a" 'central "v'ertic'al shaft-"2'for rotatable movement. 'The casting l1 may rotate in any desired manner as through the medium ofahub 3 sleeved upon jw'j Aall. .f- --A the shaft and having a connected geari adapted `to, nieshmwith,y and be Vdriven by, a suit` bl'edrive pinion "4, the' latter being driveni'froin 'any siiita'ble-source.i4 The hub 3 also connectsy through the 4mediunnfof"aspider 'orl'web'-fiiaine Ba'jw'ith y,an inner annu-. lai"'supporting'frame or ring, as throu'gl'i the medium ofdetach'able bolts'6.

Coiivenientlythe is provided with a plurajlityf'ofcurved chutes or channels 7 leading' from a suitable hopper 7a, whereby to"discharge'fmaterial to be operated upon,

througlithe'cliannels to theirollstobe prefs-A ently described.A o, Connecting withy webs is an 'auxiliary' annular, Supporting ries' Aspaced outwardly, from, the supporting ringl 5. `l"fiiterposedbetween the inner and outer rolls arranged` 1n pairs, one of the rolls of eachy'pair, 12, being' Iadjustable laterally with 'respect to itsrcoperating roll 13, which latter is preferably iixed in position. The rolls 12 andy13, are conveniently arranged upon a slightly Adifierent'y'r'elativehorizontal plane, v `as illustrated.

The `rolls 1 2 and the niechanism'for adjusting the saine',J are preferably.constructed,substantially as' follows:` i

The annular supporting rings 5 and 5fFL have openings xtheretlinugh adapted forl the reception of bushings.'l A rod or bar 9 projectsyb'etween the bushings and is secured to the Vlatter in any desired mannerpasj by` headedbolts projecting through expertures inthe bushings, and engaging recesses in 'saidprodaj Loosely 4positioned on the rods I9 aref-sleeves 11,l adapted tosuppoit the rollsly proper, which llatter are formed of rubber, ,or other suitable material.` The bushings Sand Saiave suitable eccentric recesses adapted. for the reception of the ends 11?,"of the sleeves 11. ljositioned on the sleeves 11 are suitablepinions or gears 13a adaptedto engagea cooperating pinion or gear 13b-of the cooperating fixed roll I13, in an obvious manne respectively will result in adjusting sitioning the cooperating rolls 12 and 13 a pair ofsuch .rollseither closer together farther '.part, 'according to the direction o rotation of the bushings.l

As previously noted, it Iis desirable siinultaAA eously adjust the bushings of a plu- This Y rality ofthe adjustablevrolls,and to this end,

upon yeach of the inner bushingsf, conveniently atoi adjacent the inner end thereof, isl

a fixed pinion or gear 1-1, preferablvv formed teeth cut Vonly partially therearound,

rFliese teeth are Aadapted tol mesh with rteeth 15jn upon the upper surface of a master adjusting gear ring 15, the teeth being arranged adj acent,theperiphery of said ring, l and the ringjbeing supported in anydesirable' manner for vrotatable lmovement, as by a hub 15b sleeved upon the shaft 2.` The adjusting gearv ring l1o has upon itsunder surface adjacent the peripherythereof, aseries of teeth ,16,l the teetliwbeing cut yfor a relatively short distance, being suiiicient' in number to; correspond with those upon a pinion,"

1T fixed to rotate, with a suitable substantially horizontally eXtenClllgQShilxS hwing suitable fbearingsl ,and 2O inthe casting 1,l and terminating atthe outerl end thereof in a suitable head 21 adapted toreceive a wrench or other 'operating tool.l Byl iinparting rotatable movement to thessha'ft 18L through the niediuin of thelv operating head 21in one direction orthe otherbthe pinion 17 will be correspondingly rotated whereby to .impartrotatable movement to the Vgear ring 15, the movementYY being limited in any desired manner, Vas bythe number `of teeth on the cooperatingA gear and pinion 16T-17. ln order that the operator may be advised, as tothe exact adjustment, lit being essen-v tial in the treatment nf certain materials to have this adjustment as predetermined and accurate as possible, there is provided a sleeve 22vfixed` to the shaft18 in any ce-lv sired manner, and having upon the periphery thereof any suitable' indicating data, adapted to register yin the rotatable movement ofthe shaft vand provided'with an indicating point 23 positionedon the hired bearing 2O for the shaft 14. ln this way itis possible for the operator to know at all times the exact adjustment to which the rolls have been subjected. After the adjustment has been ina-de, it is desirable to retain the locking parts against accidental adjustment, and to this end a suitablelock nut 211 is provided, the saine having a threadedv engagement with the shaft 13 whereby to abut aga-inst that side of the' bearing 23 opposite that side engaged by the sleeve 22. lWhen the locking nut 2a is tightly engaged with the bearing 23 any accidental movement of the shaft 18 and parts connected therewith, including the hub 3, the separating rolls 12 and 13, etc., are adapted to be rotated about the shaft 2 through the medium of the drive pinion .451, which meshes with the gear a mounted upon the hub 3. As the head and parts connected therewith rotate, it is desired to impart rotatable movement tothe rolls 12 and 13 aboutl their longitudinal axes, and with this in view, vthe i* ted master gear 25 is provided, the same being keyed or otherwise fixed as at 2G to the shaft 2 and having upon the upper surface thereof adjacent the periphery a circumferential series of teeth 2.7 to be engaged by a pinion 23 fixed upon a projecting end of each of the iXedly mounted rolls 13.

Because of the intermeshing gears 13a and 13b on the rolls 12 and 13 respectively, it will be observed that as the head 1 and asso ciated parts are rotated the pinions 2S will be rotated by reason of engagement with the master gear 25 which will in turn inipart rotatable movement to the rolls 13 one direction and rotatable movement to adjustable roll 12 in an opposite direction. Should it be desired to remore the head, including the trough 7n, feed chutes, etc., of the casting, whereby to obtain access to the rolls for repair, cleansing, etc., the operator removes the bolts or other securing means 29, when the head may be removed.

The entire opera-tion may be briefly reviewed as follows:

' Assuming' that the shaft 2 is stationary, the head 3 is rotated from any suitable driving source through the medium of the gears 1 4? whereby to impart rotatable movement about the shaft 2 to the casting 1 and the parts mounted thereupon, including the separating rolls 12-13. In such rotatable movement each driving roll, 13 will be engaged through the medium of its pinion 28 by the stationary master gear 25 whereby these rolls are rotated and through the medium of the intermesliing gears 13, 13b, the coperating or adjustable rolls are rotated. rlhe material to be operated upon being delivered into the hopper 7 will pass through the feed chutes 7 into operative position relative to the circumferential series or pairs of rolls l2-13, the separated material `issing between the rolls 12 13, and erial which does not pass between ding` point of v l', l u 1 lower end or said rolls, the clined whereby to assist he inert of the material. A ,as it becomes necesto eiarivelv a the rolls 12 13, 1t beine' ooi-ne iii ni at it is nite imi, "Janl that all all 12--23 bein simultaneously unirormly us nut @i is moved to releasing f-osition v-,f'hereupon the head 21 of the adjusting shaft 1S be engaged by a wrench or other suitle tool to impart the necessary rotatable movement to the shaft 13. Ii the movement, the op^` ,t dicati 0' data as ilA by at all times the shaft 13 throu i the medium of the pinion 1T thereupon en ges the master adjusting 13, which will through the medium of e cooperating gears 1i-15a impart the cessary rotatable adjustable movement to ne ecccntri frs of the rolls 12 there- ,v moving sain foils either toward, or away .el i uf' i A" .i 1o

ii om, the nnen cooper ating ioils io.

view of the fact that the r aber of eeth 16 upon the nder surface oi trie master adjusting 15 is limited, it will be ap areciated that as the adjusting shaft 13 is rotated, the movement of the master adjusting gear 15 is limited, in opposite directions, determined upon the number of said teeth 16. f

What claim is:

1. ln apparatus of the character described, the combination of an annular series of rotatable rolls arranged in pairs, one of the rolls of each pair being laterally adjustable relative to the other, and means arranged within the space at the inner ends of the series of rolls, forming driving means common to all of the adjustable rolls for simultaneously adjusting the same.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an annular series of rotatable rolls arranged in pairs, one of the rolls of each pair being laterally adjustable relative to the other, a rotatable gear ring having a direct gear connection with all of the adjustable rolls for simultaneously adjusting the rolls, and means cooperating with the last mentioned means for loclring the adjustable rolls in adjusted positions but free to rotate.

3. ln an apparatus of the character described the combination of an annular se ries of radially disposed rolls, the rolls being arranged in pairs, and the rolls of each pair being adapted to oppositely rotate, one of the rolls of each pair being adapted to be bodily adjusted laterally, and manually operable gear mechanism associated with all of said adjustable rolls, whereby to simultaneously move the same to increase or diminish separation between the rolls of each pair. a. 1n an apparatus oic the character described, the combination of a pair of coperating rolls, an eccentric support for one of said rolls, a gear on said support, and a c0- operating gear for imparting` rotatable movement tothe first mentioned gear and connected support, whereby the rolls may be variably positioned relative to one another.

5. 1n an apparatus ot thecharacter described, the combinationot a pair-.ot1 coperating rolls, an eccentricV support for one oi said rolls, a gear on said support, and a cooperating gear tor imparting rotatable movement to the iiist mentioned gear and connected support, whereby the vrolls may be variably positioned relative to one another, a hand control for said cooperating geanand operatively associated indicating means for determining the degree of adjustinent.

6. ln an apparatus Vof the'charactcr described, the combination oi' a pair et coperating rolls, an eccentric support for one of said rolls, a gear on said support, a cooperating gear rotatable in opposite directions for imparting rotation to the first mentioned gear and connected support whereby the space between the rolls may be varied, and said rolls being rotatable in their adjusted positions.

7. 1n an apparatus of the character described, the combination olf a rotatable roll, a relatively movable eccentric bushing for theroll adapted in its movement to. bodily adjustl theroll laterally, a gear connectedY to the bushing, and a rotatable hand operated gear to engage the iirst mentioned gear.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with an annular series ofrotatable rolls, .of eccentric bushings for a plurality of such rolls, and means operatively associated with all of said bush ings whereby lthe same may be simultaneously rotated to simultaneously adjust the position of the rolls.

9. In an lapparatus of the character de-k scribed, the combination with an annular series of .rotatable,rolls, of eccentric bushings for a plurality ot such rolls, and means operatively` associated with all of said bushings `for rotating the same at will in opposite directions, whereby all of the connected rolls may be simultaneously adjusted.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with an annular series of rotatable rolls, arranged in pairs, of

eccentric bushings Jfor one roll of each pair, and means operatively associated with all ont said bushings whereby the same may be simultaneously rotated to simultaneously adjust the position o' the rolls, and indicating means operatively associated with the last mentioned means whereby to determine,

multaneously rotated to simultaneously ad-V just the position ot the rolls, said means including gear teeth on each bushing, and means yoperatively associated with all of said gear teeth, including a master gear.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with an annular series of rotatable rolls arranged in pairs, of eccentric bushings for one roll of each pair, and means operatively yassociated with all ot said bushingswhereby the samemay be simultaneously rotated to simultaneously adjust the position ot the rolls, and means for locking the rolls in adjusted positions, said locking means permitting rotation of the rolls.

13. 1n an apparatus of the character described, the combination or" an annular series oi rolls arranged in pairs, the rolls ofeach pair rotating in opposite directions, one of the rolls for each pairliaving an eccen tric bushing, and means common to all ot said bushings -for simultaneously adjusting its connected roll relative to its coperated roll.

la. 1n an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an annular series or' rolls arranged in pairs, the rolls ofeach pair having airinteimesliing'gear whereby the same will rotate in opposite directions, onD of the rolls of each pair having an eccentiic bushing, and meansfor simultaneously moving'said eccentric bushings, to simuL. taneouslyv adjust the rolls connected there`e4 pair rotating in opposite directions, one of the rolls oi' each pair having an eccentricbushing the same to adjust the connected roll,

va master gear operatively associatedwith said gears lor simultaneously adjusting said rolls, and an associated lock for maintain-y ing the parts in adjusted position.

a gear on each bushing for rotat.

ing, a gear on each bushingl for rotating the 17. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination ot' an annular series of rolls arranged in pairs, the rolls of each pair rotating in opposite directions, one of the rolls o each pair having an .eccentric bushingaV gear on each bushing for rotating the same to adjust the connected roll, and a master gear operatively associated with said gears for simultaneously usting said rolls, and means for limiting the movement of the master gear.

' 18. In an apparatus of the character del scribed, the combination of an annular series or" rolls arranged in pairs, the rolls of each pair rotating in opposite directions, one of the rolls of each pair having an eccentric bushing, a gear on each bushing for rotating` the same to adjust the connectedL roll, and a master gear operatively associated with said gears for simultaneously adjusting said rolls, said master gear being rotatable in reverse directions whereby to adjust the rolls tcward and from one another at will, and means for limiting the movement ot the master gear in opposite directions.

19. In an apparatus ot the character described, the combination ot an annular series of rolls, eccentric bushings for the rolls, gear teeth on the bushings, a master gear ring having teeth to engage the bushings, and also having an auxiliary set of gear teeth, and a hand operated rotatable shaft having a pinion to engage the auxiliary gear teeth to rotate the master gear ring and impart rotatable movement to the eccentric bushings.

20. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination ot an annular series of rolls, eccentric bushings for the rolls, gear teeth on the bushings, a master ring having teeth to engage the bushings, and also having an auxiliary set of gear teeth, and

' a hand operated rotatable shaft having a pinion to engage the auxiliary gear teeth to rotate the master gear ring and impart rotatable movement to the eccentric bushings, and an indicating means operatively associated with said hand operated shatt.

21. In an apparatus of the character described the combination of a pair of cooperating rolls arranged side by side, said rolls being adapted to rotate in opposite directions, and means for relatively adjusting one of the rolls relative to the other comprising opposed bushings having eccentric recesses, said rolls having supporting end parts loosely positioned in said eccentric recesses, a rod projecting between the bushings and loosely through said supporting parts and roll, means for locking the rod to the bushings, and a movable part engaging one o'l` said bushings whereby through the medium of the connecting rod to simultaneously rotate botl bushings and move the connected roll laterally.

22. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a rotatable head, a pair of cooperating rolls carried by the head, gear means for rotating one of said rolls in th rotary movement of the head, an eccentric support 'for the cooperating roll, whereby to adjust the same laterally relative to the first mentioned roll, hand operative gear means for adjustment and independent gear driving connection between the rolls.

23. In a machine of the character described, the combination of cooperating rolls mounted Jfor rotatable movement, and means for laterally adjusting one of said rolls relative to the other, comprising eccentric collars at opposite ends oit said roll, circular bearings for said rolls, and connected mechanism for simultaneously adjusting said collars in said bearings at the opposite ends of said roll.

2e. In machine ot the character described, the combination of a plurality of radial. oairs of' separating rolls, and means for simultaneously adjusting one roll of each pair of rolls laterally with respect to its cooperating roll, said means including an eccentric bearing for one roll oic each pair, a gear ring, gears on said eccentric bearings to Vbe engaged by the gear ring, said gear ring being mounted" for rotatable movement, and means for maintaining the same in iined position.

25. In a machine oli the character described, the combination of rolls radially arranged and operating in pairs, one of the rolls of each pair being provided with an adjusting eccentric bushing at each end, connected mechanism whereby both bushings may be rotated in the same direction at the same time, and whereby all of the adjusting bushings of all oli' the adjusting rolls are moved in the same direction at the same time.

26. In machine of the character described, having rolls radially arranged and operating in pairs, bushings for one oit the rolls ci" each pair so constructed that both ot' the ends of said roll may be moved at the same time so as to bring it and its associated roll laterally nearer or farther apart, and common means whereby all ot the adjusting rolls and their associated rolls will be brought nearer or farther apart the same distance in the same direction and at the same time by one operation.

27. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination ot a vertically disposed stationary shaitt, a master gear wheel fixed on the shift, an adjustable gear wheel sleeved upon the shaft, a rotatable head .sleeved upon the shaft, a pair of cooperating rolls carried by the head adapted to be driven 'from the other, a gear connection between the master gear and one of said rolls, the other roll being mounted :tor lateral adj uetment. relative: .to ithe' i irstf men- ;.tioned r,oll,. av gear. connection between said .other roll and thewadjusting gear, and

, an adjusting member sleeved uponthe shaft means for movingthe saidadjusting gear.

.28.;111 anl apparatus of the .characterxdej scribed, the combination of; a verticallydisl,posed.@stationary shaft7 a rotatable casting .sleevediu-pon `the shaft; for rotatable movey '.ment, separating rolls carried bythe casting7 an adjusting gear sleeved upon the shaft,a .master gear .fixede upon the shaft at a pointabovezthe adjusting gear, aid-rivyingconnection between thevmaster gear' and said rolls, anda geanconnection between :theadjusting gear and one of said; rolls- `whereby Ito adjust :thesame laterally with `respect lto the vcooperating roll.

29.; In ani apparatus :of the` character described, :the vcombination of. a vertically disposed stationary shaft, a rotatable casting flaaving asleeved connectionwith the shaft, a master1drive-gear.xed upon the shaft, an adjusting membery sleeved upon the shaft f between fthemastergear and the connection 25 .between= the eastingvand shaft, separating rolls carrieduby fthe casting, a gear.1drive 1 `connection.between said master gear and fthe rolls, and means operativelyv associated with f saidadjust'able member whereby. to rela- .tively adjust the rolls.

.30.y lnan.apparatus=of :the 'character described, the combination of-.a. vertically disa. master idrive Vgear fixed upon vthe shaft,

- -betweenthe master gear and the connection between-L .the casting and shaft, separating wrolls carried'by theV casting,1a gear :drive connection' between saidzxmasten gear and lzthe: rolls,E and means loperatively associated :with isaidl adjustable member wherebyl to relatively adjust the rolls, said'last-` menv'tioned means having an asso'e-iatedindicator means whereby toy determine the adjustment.

3l.' ln; an.t apparatus I of lthe'fcharacter described, the combinationof an lannular series -fof rolls, arranged in' pairs saidr0lls1having ',:intermeshing gears whereby the same rotate f in: i opposite directions,- -one -of= the Irolls of.

veach pairhaving connected-thereto for relaztive; rotatable1 movement at? f opposite. ends an xeccentric bushing, `circular fbearings thereforp afgear on thebushing lat'one'end :ot'- said. rolls; and a-master; gear operatively associated with said-'last mentioned g gears for simultaneously-fadjusting said irolls.

l Intestnnony whereof I hereunto 'affix my signature in :the/presence of two-witnesses.

GEORGE F. CRIPPEN.

A Witnesses LEE N; BROWN, NV; BOMBINEK. 

